Guinea-Bissau tallies referendum votes as military leaders push to reshape presidency
Polling stations in Guinea-Bissau have closed, and ballot counting is under way in a referendum that could significantly reshape the country's political landscape by handing the presidency far greater authority.
Citizens across the West African nation went to the polls on Sunday to weigh in on a proposed constitution that would replace the current parliamentary system with a stronger presidential model. The vote comes ahead of elections scheduled for later this year, and could mark a turning point in a country long plagued by institutional fragility.
The National Electoral Commission said turnout exceeded 55 percent and that the voting process unfolded without major incident. Idrissa Djalo, the commission's executive secretary, told reporters that nothing had occurred to cast doubt on the credibility of the ballot. Results are expected to be announced by Tuesday.
Sunday's referendum takes place less than ten months after the military seized power in a coup, following a disputed presidential election in November 2025 in which both leading candidates claimed victory and traded accusations of electoral interference. The military, which toppled the government one day after that election, has said it is seeking to stabilize the country's institutions before handing control back to a civilian administration.
Under the military's transitional charter, presidential and parliamentary elections are slated for December 6. The new constitution, if approved, would abandon the previous system in which prime ministers were drawn from the parliamentary majority — a setup that often led to fraught power-sharing between the presidency and the legislature. Instead, the head of state would gain the power to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet members, as well as to dissolve parliament at will.
On the ballot, voters were asked a straightforward yes-or-no question: "Do you agree with the entry into force of the new constitution approved by the National Transitional Council?"
Military leader and transitional President General Horta Inta-A Na Man framed the referendum as a necessary step toward ensuring future governments can function without repeated crises. "What we want after this referendum is to allow whoever wins the elections to see out their mandate without hindrance," he said. Under the transitional charter, Inta-A Na Man is himself barred from running in the upcoming elections.
Analysts say the outcome could have lasting consequences for Guinea-Bissau's governance. Supporters argue that a presidential system would provide more decisive leadership, while critics worry it could concentrate too much power in one office and undermine democratic checks and balances. The country has experienced decades of political volatility, including multiple coups and frequent institutional collapses since gaining independence. Sunday's vote may determine whether this latest transition brings a period of relative stability or sets the stage for new tensions.